2018 Top Models

After hours of judging near 1000 RACQ Top Model entries, the final seven winners have been chosen.

The judges were blown away by the quality of the entries received for all six categories including American (215 entries), Asian (66 entries), Australian (374 entries), British (104 entries), European (73 entries) and Motorcycle (109 entries).

For some categories it was easy to pinpoint the winner, but for others, it was a long painful process which quickly turned into a hotly contested debate with each vehicle closely examined.

It should be no surprise that the Australian category was the hardest to judge with the eternal battle between Ford and Holden raging on until the final decision. An impartial expert was even called into to break a deadlock as a final decision could not be reached.

Though even that decision seemed easy in comparison to crowning RACQ’s first ever Top Model.

In the end, it came down to which vehicle was the most unique, well maintained and stood out from the crowd, this time around that honour went to Elton Walker and his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Sedan.

Check out the winners below and come to RACQ’s MotorFest on Sunday 15 July to see the vehicles on display.

Top Model Winner & American Category Winner

Elton Walker – 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan

“My 1957 Chevy Bel Air has been restored and modified but still retains the classic 50’s styling cues. Lovingly built, driven and maintained. It’s been on the road since 2008. Modern creature comforts added such as power steering, upgraded V8 and auto gearbox, disc brakes, new interior, hidden CD system, battery in the boot, custom paint and period correct wheels.”

British Category Winner

Neil Tregea – 1966 Austin Healey 3000 Roadster, BJ8 Mark 111

“This Austin Healey was fully restored in 1998 and has won awards on a Global basis.”

Asian Category Winner

Gary Lambert – 1976 Datsun 260Z

“I’ve owned my fair lady for 24 years. 15 of those years were spent restoring and tastefully modifying her to be my ideal sports car. She’s more than a car, a part of the family and I’ll have her for life. My car should win because it embodies many of the things important to motoring enthusiasts – classic lines, good engineering, tasteful upgrades and modifications, and well maintained. She’s the whole package.”

European Category Winner

Barry Nalder – 1964 Volkswagen Kombi Transporter

“This Iconic kombi inspires stories of happy childhoods spent at the beach or on family drives that people love to share and never fails to get waves from people as it passes by.”

Australian Category Winner

Grant Otago – 1973 Holden HQ Kingswood Wagon

“Lil attracts much attention and is a stunning old girl.”

Motorcycle Category Winner

Graham Dobson – 1948 Indian Chief Motorcycle & Sidecar

“The Bike was built as a tribute to my Brother Robert George Dobson who rode off to the second world war on a similar bike.”

People’s Choice Winner (742 likes, 110 comments, 45 shares)

Andrew Bax – 1976 Volkswagen Golf

“Even though my Volkswagen may not be the most sort after or most valuable, it is a very unique car here in Australia. You don’t see many on the road in general let alone restored or highly modified. I take my little golf to show n shines and it gets a lot off attention. I think my car should win because its unique it may not be worth a lot or a sort after car, but it gets a lot of respect where ever I go.”